THE BRIGHTSIDE

Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.

BAR , STAGE & BEER GARDEN.

Starting off in 1906 as a Sunday School for the larger Presbyterian Church building next door, the space has had many faces since, most recently a dance/ R&B club. The new management of the property undertook an extensive overhaul of not only the space but also the brand and target audience to transform the club into an alternative live music venue.

A stage, green room, sound booth and merch desk were added. New lighting, joinery and wall finishes ensured the 90s club vibe was superseded by a warmer, grungier design while still being sensitive to the heritage architecture. Schoolhouse lights were installed over the bar as a tribute to the buildings former life.

The outdoor area was gutted of its built-in benches and DJ booth to make room for a more flexible arrangement of furniture and a covered ally-way platform with picnic tables for large groups.

With the integration of a food van and a re-working of the old outdoor bar, the beer garden is now a welcome addition to the Brisbane outdoor social scene as well as becoming a handy transition zone to the back car park - the new home to the second performance stage when the venue hosts music festivals.